Hosiery length measuring device



Feb; 1954 M. N. HOLMES HOSIERY LENGTH MEASURING DEVICE 4 Shee1is-$heet 1 Filed Dec. 4, 1952 8 R Y m w 4 m m I 1 1 m A S M Jr \l A 1 N F M m m@ m Y 4 3 "P Q 5 0 4 2 5 9 H 4 2 m 2 w M 2 8 I Feb. 23, 1954 HOLMES 2,669,867

HOSIERY LENGTH MEASURING DEVICE Filed Dec. 4, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 4.

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Feb. 23, 1954 HOLMES 2,669,867

HOSIERY LENGTH MEASURING DEVICE Filed Dec. 4, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MARK N. HOLMES ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 23, 1954 2,669,867 HOSIERY LENGTH MEASURING DEVICE Mark N. Holmes, Burlington, N. 0., assignor to Burlington Mills N. (3., a corporation Corporation, of Delaware Greensboro,

Application December 4, 1952, Serial No. 324,061

This invention relates to a hosiery length measuring device, and more particularly to a device for measuring th lengths of ladies ful1-fashioned hose, although the device may be used for measuring the lengths of seamless hose and half hose.

In the ladies hosiery industry, particularly nylon hosiery, it is dimcult to produce hose of uniform lengths. This difliculty is due mainly to the resilient and plastic characteristics of nylon yarn which give rise to certain variable factors in the several manufacturing operations. Some of these variable factors that affect length of hose are static electricity, excessive tension, yarn creep, and yarn shrinkage. Knitting machines can be and are carefully adjusted to produce hosiery of proper and uniform lengths, but in spite of these careful adjustments, considerable variation in hosiery length occurs because of changes in the above factors. Hence, during manufacture, samples of finished knitted hose frequently are measured for length to make sure that such lengths are within prescribed limits. If the lengths vary from such limits, the knitting machines are readjusted to bring the lengths of subsequently knitted hose back within th prescribed tolerances.

Since unboarded nylon stockings are inherently stretchable, and do not readily resume their original dimensions upon being stretched out of shape, the sample measuring of hosiery lengths now is usually performed after the hose has been knit, looped, seamed, dyed, and finished (including boarding). It is obvious, however, that if only finished hosiery is measured for length, the manufacturing operation will have progressed a considerable extent past the point of length control, namely, the actual knitting operation wherein machine adjustments must be made to control hosiery. length. Hence, a large number of hose of improper lengths will have been knitted before the knitting machines can be readjusted to knit proper lengths. It has now been found that if hosiery is measured for length after the looping and seaming operations, and while each stocking is under the same tension, th finished length of the hose can be predetermined after allowing a factor for shrinkage during the dyeing and finishing operations. In other words, the length of the hosiery can be measured and length variations noted in the foregoing manner even before the hose has been set to its final length by the boarding operations used in the finishing of nylon hose. l

-' Furthermoreyfinal hosiery length is subject to 9 Claims. (Cl. 73-89) variation, not only by the actual knitting thereof, but also by the final boarding operation, because the stockings may be pulled too tightly over the boarding form by the operators and,

therefore, set to an improper length. Hence it desirable to provide a device for accurately and readily measuring the length of hosiery while subjected to the same tension immediately preceding and immediately following the final boarding operation, in order to determine whether the boarding operators are placing the stockings on the boarding forms with the same proper degree of tension.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 291,- 1'73, file June 2, 1952, I have disclosed and claimed a novel device for measuring the length hosiery and for subjecting each stocking, prior to measurement, to the same predetermined longitudinal tension. In my prior invention, a stocking is positioned on a form and manually stretched until the form mounting exerts a predetermined force on force measuring means associated therewith, and then released. After allowance of a brief period of time for creep back, the length of the stretched stocking is measured in conjunction with indicia on the form.

While my prior invention operates quite satisfactorily, I have now devised improvements thereon which adapt it for large scale operation, by

eliminating from its operation some manual steps, and particularly by eliminating the time interval involved in operation of the prior device.

Accordingly, a salient object of the present invention is to provide a device for measuring the length of hosiery, including power means for uniformiy applying stretching force thereto, and means for automatically deactivating said power means when a predetermined stretching force is reached.

A related object of the present invention is to provide a. hosiery length measuring device adapted to indicate hosiery length. immediately upon maximum stretching force being attained.

Another object is to provide a device for measuring hosiery length with great speed, and excellent uniformity.

Other objects will be in part evident and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention and the novel features thereof may best be made clear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing a stocking positioned for measurement;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View opposite to that of Figure 1, showing the stocking engaged for stretching Figure 2A is a fragmentary top plan view' corresponding to Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 1, showing the stocking in stretched condition;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 1;

Figure 'I is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating the operation of the device, and

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective detail view showing one of the limit mechanisms of the device.

Referring to the drawings in detail, in Figures 1 to 4 is shown a frame l0, supporting thereabove a vertical pedestal ll. Directly above the pedestal is mounted a fiat hosiery form I2, which may be a conventional boarding form. The heel area of form I2 is provided with heel length indicating indicia l3, anda stocking I4 is positioned on the form for length measurement.

Atop pedestal H is mounted a tubular member 15 having transverse partitions [6 at each end thereof, as shown in Figure 5. Partitions 16 are provided with axial apertures 11, suitably sized to slidably receive a rod [8 extending longitudinally and centrally from the welt end of form 12 to support the form foot upwards in the vertical position shown. Threadably secured to the lower end of member I5 is a pipe coupling indicated generally as 19, having a concavo-convex flexible diaphragm 20, of rubber or other suitable material, clamped between its coupling members 22 by the coupling ring 23. A short nipple 24 is threaded into the lower coupling member 22 and into the upper end of an interiorly threaded fitting 25 which is, in turn, threaded onto the upper closed end of pedestal H.

An interior closed chamber 26 is thus formed by the flexible diaphragm 20, lower coupling member 22, nipple 24, fitting 25, and the closed upper end of pedestal ll. This chamber is filled with a relatively viscous liquid 21, such as glycerine or hydraulic brake fluid. A pressure gauge 28 is connected through line 28 to an apertured boss 30 on the side of fitting 25, and the fittin is also provided with a screw 32 threaded through a side wall thereof and projecting into chamber 26 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The lower end of rod I8 is provided with a transverse plate or disc 33 resting upon the convex upper surface of diaphragm 28. As will be evident, pressure variations in the fluid within chamber 26 effected by downward movement of rod l8 relative to diaphragm 20 will be indicated by the pressure gauge 28. The mechanism described above is substantially that disclosed and claimed in my pending former application, Serial No. 291,173.

The additional structure added to my prior invention to further improve its operation includes a standard 34, conveniently of U-shaped crosssectional configuration, mounted vertically on frame In adjacent pedestal ll. Slidably mounted between side sections 35 of the standard 34 is a rack 36, which extends above the upper. end. of the standard and supports at its top a trans.-

verse slide housing 31. The slide housing, as shown, is horizontally disposed and axially aligned with form 12. Enclosed by the slide housing is a slide 38, formed at its end adjacent form 12 into an offset fork member 39 and provided at its opposite end with a handle 40.

To limit the movement of slide 38 within housing 31, two suitably spaced stop members 42 are fastened thereon. As best shown in Figures 2A and 4, the stops 42 are laterally extended and support between them a yoke 43, provided with a slot 44 and a roller 45 mounted within the slot. A bar 46 extends downwardly from slide housing 31, and pivotally mounted thereon at 41 is a link 48. One end of link 48 is biased toward the lower end of bar 46 by a spring 48. An arm 50 extends-upwardly from link 48, the arm extending through and being slidably enclosed by slot 44 of the yoke 43.

A treadle 52 is pivotally mounted on frame I adjacent the foot of standard 34, and the arm 53 secured thereto is engaged to the free end of link 48 by a telescoping linkage including, in the exemplary embodiment, a rod 54 pivotally secured to the outer end of arm 53 and a rod 55 similarly affixed to the free end of link 48. To effect the desired telescoping relationship, rod 54 has a block 54A secured thereto adjacent its outerend, as by set screw 54B, and rod 55 is similarly provided with a block 55A and set screw 553. Block 54A is apertured and slidably encloses rod 55, and'block 55A similarly encloses and rides upon rod 54.

To drive rack 36 and the slide mechanism associated therewith, a reversible electric motor 56 is. suitably mounted on standard 34, adapted to drive a bevel gear 51 through reduction gearing 58. A support 59 extending from standard 34 (Figures 2 and 6) tally disposed stub-shaft 60, to one end of which is fastened a bevel gear 62 maintained in meshing engagement with the driving. bevel gear 51..

On the other side of support 59, a pinion 63 is fixed to stub shaft 60, the pinion being engaged in driving relationship to rack 36. Motor 56, then, is adapted to drive, through the bevel gears, stub shaft and pinion 63, the rack 36 in either vertical direction.

Indicating mechanism is also associated with the rack drive, to indicate the vertical rack position and the stocking length corresponding there'- to. The indicating mechanism may include, simply, a bracket 64 extending outwardly from standard 34 atabout the level of stub shaft 60,

the bracket rotatably supporting adjacent its outer end a drum 65, which is internally geared. and engaged to a small gear 66 fixed to the end. of shaft 60, as best shown in Figure 6. The pe-' ripheral skirt portion 61 of drum is provided with indicia 68, which may be read in conjunction with a stationary pointer 69, fastened to" standard 34 and extending to a position immediately above the indicating drum. As will be evi-' dent, the indicia 68 are desirably spaced to correspond to units of hosiery length.

To limit the vertical movement veniently, the upper limit switch 10 may be an actuating pin 14 mounted in the rack at suitabl position, see Figure 9. The lower limit. switch 15 may be mounted on frame l0, its swi-tch 75. arm 16 extending between the side sections 35 rotatably mounts a horizon-.

of rack 36, up per and lower limit switches are provided. Con- 5. of standard 34, in position to be actuated by the lower end of rack 36. The control box 72 mounts a push button switch TI to effect upward movement of the rack, a push button switch 78 to effect downward movement of the rack, and an emergency stop push button switch 19.

As a salient feature of the invention, means are provided to automatically deactivat driving motor 65 during the downward movement of rack 35 when a predetermined force has been transmitted to form I?! through the stocking thereon being measured. Conveniently, such means may be incorporated by inserting a T 86 in the pressure gauge line 29, and running a branch line 2 therefrom in communicationwith a conventional pressure actuated switch 83, suitably incorporated in the power circuit of motor To limit the downward movement of form l 2 relative to tubular member l5, and thereby prevent possible dam age to diaphragm 2d, an adjustable stop member 8| may be threaded into the upper partition it of member I 5, positioned directly below the welt end of form l2.

Operation of the device will now be described in detail. A stocking I 4 to be measured for length is manually positioned on form i 2, assuming the position shown in Figure l. The operator may then spread the seamer opening 2 of the stocking welt, using both hands, and depression of foot treadle 52 will cause the fork member 39 of slide 38 to enter the seamer opening and engage the stocking welt, as shown in Figure 2. As will be evident, the prongs of fork 3Z3 engage the stocking on opposite sides of the form, and the offset configuration thereof effects engagement of the welt at the outer edge thereof for a considerable distance, so that the stocking is firmly and evenly engaged. With the slide mechanism in up position, movement of the treadle in the direction of arrow 85, Figure 2, will cause engagement of blocks 54A and and thereafter through rods 54 and 55 will. pivotally displace link 48 about its pivot 4 against the action of spring 49. This pivotal movement will cause link arm so to move within yoke slot 44 to engage roller 45, and there after displace the slide and yoke assembly toward the for to the final position shown in Figures 2 and 2A.

Having assisted entry of fork 39 into the stocking welt through the seamer opening, the operator may release the stocking and immediately close push button switch l8, energizing motor 56 in proper direction to move rack 36 and the associated slide assembly downwardly relative to the form. The rack being driven downwardly at uniform rate will apply constantly increasing stretching force to the stocking l4, which force will be transmitted by the stocking to form l2 and thereby to the flexible diaphragm 2i] and the hydraulic chamber 26 of which it is a part. Pressure switch 83 having been previously adjusted to operate at a desired pressure, when a stretching force of predetermined magnitude has been exerted on stocking E4, the resultant pressure in chamber 26 will effect actuation of switch 33, which will thereupon operate to deactivate motor 56. At this point the indicated length of the stocking may immediately be read by means of the indicia 68 on the skirt portion 67 of drum $5. The heel length of the stocking may also be read at the same time by means of the heel indicia [3 on the hosiery form, visible through the stocking. The final down position of the device is illustrated in Figure 3.

It will be noted that treadle 52 need not be maintained down after initial positioning of fork 39 within the stocking welt. Spring 49 will return link 48 to such position that its arm 5|] is out of contact with roller 45, but has insufficient strength to displace the slide and yoke mechanism to remove the fork from the stocking welt. In the downward movement of the rack and slide, the telescoping connection between rods 54 and 55 will absorb the movement of link 48 relative to the treadle. The length measurements of the stocking having been noted, the rack may be returned to up position by closing push button switch 11, whereupon motor 56 will be energized to drive the rack upwardly until pin 14 actuates the arm 73 of limit switch 19, to break the motor circuit.

In the event th rack is actuated downwardly with no stocking on the form, or if the stocking being tested should break, the bottom end of the rack will engage switch arm is of the limit switch 75, and thereby break the motor circuit before the device is damaged. Emergency stop push button switch 79 is effective to stop th movement of the rack in either direction at any time, should such become necessary or desirable.

The screw 32 may be adjusted in or out to vary the volume of chamber 26, and constitutes a convenient adjustment for calibrating and zeroing pressure gauge 23. The pressure gauge is convenient for setting pressure switch 83 to operate at desired pressure, and for checking its action through continued operations.

An electrical system suitable for effecting the functions described above is illustrated in Figure r 8 of the drawings, wherein motor 56 is reversibly connected to a three-phase power line 86, through. gang switches 8? and 88 operated by relays 89 and 50, respectively. The relays are powered by connection to a two-conductor power line 92. To drive rack 36 downwardly push button switch 78 is closed completing a circuit from power line 32 through closed stop switch 79, open up switch 1?, closed down switch l8, down relay 9i), closed down limit switch '55 and closed pressure switch 83. Actuation of relay iii] closes gang switch 38, energizing motor 55 in proper direction to drive the rack down. Closing of gang switch 88 also completes a holding circuit excluding down switch 18, through closed stop switch 19, open up switch 11, closed gang switch 8%, down relay 9H, closed down limit switch '15 and closed pressure switch 83, so that the down push button switch is may be released immediately after a momentary closing. Thereupon the rack will be driven down wardly at uniform speed until the circuit is interrupted by opening of either pressure switch 83 or down limit switch 15, or of course by the open ing of stop switch 19.

When the downward movement of the rack has stopped, it may be returned to up position by momentarily closing push button switch Tl, thereby completing a circuit from power source 92 through closed stop switch 79, open down switch l8, closed up switch ll, up relay 89 and the closed upper limit switch it. Actuation of relay 89 closes gang switch 81, thereby energizing motor 56 in a direction to drive the rack upwardly, and also completing a holding circuit through the relay which excludes up switch Tl. Motor 56 will thereupon drive the rack upwardly until this power circuit is interrupted by opening of upper limit switch 10, or in special case by the opening of stop switch 19.

It will thus be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomspecificrembodiment illustrated and described-for the lpurpo'se of disclosing: this invention is. sus'e .changes without departing. Therefore, this. invention ceptible to various from such principles. embraces all modifications encompassed by spirit and scope of the following'claims; I

hosiery length measuring device compris ing a yieldably mounted hosiery form,-power means'for applyingstretching force to a stocking positioned on said form, means responsive =-to movement of said form for automatically deactivatings'aid power m'eans whena predetermined forte ha-sheen applied, and means responsive to operation of said power means 1e 'tli of said stocking in'stretched condition.

A hosiery length measuring device compris in a yieldably-mounted hosiery form, fork means f engagingthe welt of a stocking positioned on sa form-power means for moving "said fork longitudinally relative to said form to stretch" saidstocking'fmeans' responsive to movementof said form for automatically deactivating said power means when a predetermined force has been transmitted to said form through said stocking, and means responsive to movement of said fork means for indicating stocking in stretched condition.

3. A hosiery length measuring device comprising a hosiery form, a support rod attached to the welt end of said form, a bearing movably supporting said rod between the ends thereof, means defining a closed fluid-filled chamber, a flexible diaphragm forming a wall of said chamber and disposed in adjacency to the free end of said support rod, power means for applying stretching force to a stocking positioned on said form, said rod pressing on said diaphragm when force is applied to said stocking, and means in communication with said chamber operative on attainment of a predetermined pressure therein to deactivate said power means.

4. A hosiery length measuring device comprising a hosiery form, a support rod attached to the welt end of said form, a bearing movably supporting said rod between the ends thereof, means defining a closed fluid-filled chamber, a fiexible diaphragm forming a wall of said chamber and disposed in adjacency to the free end of said support rod, an electric motor and means driven thereby for applying stretching force to a stocking positioned on said form, said rod pressing on said diaphragm when force is applied to said stocking, indicating means driven by said motor for indicating the length of said stocking in stretched condition, and a pressure switch in communication with said chamber and operative on attainment of a predetermined pressure therein to deactivate said electric motor.

5. A measuring device as defined in claim 4, including a pressure indicating gauge in communication with said chamber.

6. A hosiery length measuring device comprisfor indicating-the" the length of said 8, ing;- a frame; a hosiery form;.meansi for movably supporting said f orm by its wen. end" above said frame; a rack member slidably -mounted above said frame for movement in a path parallelto thelongitudinal axis of said form, a fork-member slidably mounted on the upper end of said rackmember for-lateral movement relative"- to said form and adapted to engage the Welt of a stock ing positioned on said form, an electric motor for driving said rack member in said path," 'hy-' draulic means responsiveto movement of said form support meansand adapted to deactivate said electric motor when a predetermined force is transmitted to said form'through said stocking, and indicating means respo'nsive, to-movement of said rack member for indicating the length of said stocking in stretched condition. 1c,

,7. A measuring device as defined in claim fi, ins;v cluding limit switches disposed adjacent the path; of said rack member, said switches'be'ing psr eratively connected to said motor to deactivate: said motor when said rack member reaches either, end of its travel.

8. A measuring device as defined in claim 6, including a treadle pivotally mounted on said frame, and a telescoping linkage extending between said treadle and said fork member whereby said fork member may be laterally displaced by said treadle when the rack member is at the upper end of its travel.

9. A hosiery length measuring device comprising a frame, a hosiery form, a support rod attached to the welt end of said form, a bearing mounted above said frame movably supporting said rod between the ends thereof, means defin ing a closed fluid-filled chamber below said bearing, a flexible diaphragm forming the upper wall of said chamber and disposed in adjacency to the free end of said support rod, a rack member slidably mounted above said frame for movement in a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of said form, a fork member slidably mounted on the upper end of said rack member for lateral movement relative to said form and adapted to engage the welt of a stocking positioned on said form, an electric motor for driving said rack member in said path, said rod pressing on said diaphragm when said fork member is moved while engaged in the welt of a stocking, a pressure switch in communication with said chamber and operative on attainment of a predetermined pressure therein to deactivate said electric motor, and indicating means responsive to movement of said rack member for indicating the length of said stocking in stretched condition.

MARK N. HOLMES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 922,524 Schopper May 25, 1909 2,066,311 Appel et a1 "Jan. 5, 1937 2,369,661 Dangelmajer Feb. 20, 1945 

